A R T I S T F E AT U R E KEALY DONALDSON
JOE R. WILSON Namgis Artist
IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION From Alert Bay, born and raised, Wilson stayed in his
It was a birthday present from Wilson’s eldest sister, Deb Ha-
home town and chose to build a home there and his life
nuse, that allowed him to learn form line. Hanuse paid for him
around his artistry. I took a moment to ask Wilson why Alert
to do a form line course under Doug Cramner. Cramner was
Bay is such a hub for the Kwakwaka’wakw Art. Wilson re-
very strict and like most young artists, Wilson didn’t appreciate
sponded that back at the turn of the century, the Cannery
it then; he certainly embraces it now. Wilson grew as an Artist
drew all the artists for regular work, everything sprouted from
through his teen years but form line truly drew him into the art-
there. Wilson added that there are many styles that have de-
ist he is today. Wilson has worked in flat design and sculpture
veloped from the Artists from Alert Bay and two very distin-
as well, and continues to grow with new mediums all the time.
guished styles from Fort Rupert, Sewid and Hunt. At 19, Wilson started working with Ned Matilpi and was unWilson has worked with almost everyone in Yalis, known in
der him for approximately a year; he was able to work with
English as Alert Bay, and was a part of the Community Shop
so many mentors in the communal shop – the list is long –
prior to it being torn down. “It was a place for artists to work
Stephen Bruce, Wayne Alfred, Bruce Alfred, Beau Dick, to
and share. It was open to everyone but you needed to be
name a few. “It was nice as Beau and Doug really brought our
committed to make progress. It was a communal style of
traditional art back to life,” Wilson notes. “42 years now I’ve
learning,” Wilson shares.
been an Artist and I’m still learning. Passing the culture and
1 4 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 3
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
